Bacon’s Rebellion

By 1676, many colonists had become angry over grievances against Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia at that time. Opposing the governor’s authority, some colonists waged a campaign against the Indians, with Henrico planter Nathaniel Bacon, Jr., as one of the principal leaders. English authorities viewed his acts as rebellious and soon found themselves in combat with Bacon’s men. However, Bacon died of a fever in October 1676, and, without his leadership, the colonists’ revolt dissipated. England regained control. Even so, Bacon’s Rebellion made an important statement about Virginians’ willingness to fight what they saw as an unfair government policy.